DESIGN JOURNAL 2

     The Alphabet Bird is created with alphabet A to Z. This is my first attempt to create an readable image using simple strokes, alphabets, and alternative thick and thin lines. Most of the letters are written freely to follow the contour of the bird so that it looks more natural. 

Alphabet Bird, Florence Lee     

     Conrad Sweynheym and Arnold Pannartz issue the first dated book that is printed in Italy in 1465, containing the first printing in Greek. William Caxton was the first Englishman who introduced a printing press into England in 1476, and was the first English retailer of printed books. Philippe Pigouchet was a French printer and wood engraver who worked for and closely with Simon Vostre, a book keeper and publisher who planned the idea to create the fourth Book of Hours. Their introductions of printing ideas and of new ways of sharing books through publishing helped to spread knowledge quickly, at low-cost and increased the literacy rate. 

     Nicolas Jenson was one of the first in France to introduce printing. In 1458, King Charles VII of France, sent Nicolas Jenson, an engraver of coins and medals in Paris. He retired to Venice and started letter-founding and printing. He was the first to present the form and proportion of the Roman font in 1471. In the 20th century, Jenson stood for a world where the printer, binder, illuminator etc all worked together as a team, and became a cult figure.

     Francesco Griffo da Bologna started his career as a goldsmith, and later worked for the publisher, the house of Aldus Manutius of Venice. He was the first modern type designer because he changed types into the mechanical craft of printing and no longer hand-written manuscript. His project in Venice was to invent a typeface called Bembo, which is regarded as the most modern in appearance of all 15th century types. He was the inventor of the cursive or italic style which made a fortune for the printer Aldus Manutius. His name lives on in a 20th century font by Hans Mardersteig called Griffo. In Spanish, italic fonts are known as letra grifa.

Which art form attracts me? 

     After reading the history of graphic design from paleolithic cave drawing, alphabet development during the medieval era, to nowadays modern writing systems, the one that attracts me the most is the early petroglyphic figures. Petroglyphs are signs or simple figures that carved or scratched on the rock during ancient times. 

     Years ago, I always aimed at making perfect, complicated and detailed art. However, after gaining more and more design experiences, I found that turning complicated ideas into simple silhouette as these petroglyphic figures is more efficient and powerful. 

Early petroglyphic figures. Fig 1.2, Meggs' History of Graphic Design

What I learned from reading the history?  

     For me, the goal of learning graphic design history is to learn the process of how ancient pictographs, hieroglyphs and writing systems developed into modern art and typography. I found contemporary art focuses on expressing the idea rather than showing complicated drawing techniques. Therefore, I would like to continue my art journey by exploring how to use simple strokes and images to evoke messages successful. 


     Here is the drawing I created for this journal. It was inspired by the petroglyphic figures. 

Petroglyphic Lady, Florence Lee
image source: https://www.instagram.com/florencelee_art